Consulado

The Consulado de mercaderes was the Spanish merchant guild, founded in Seville, the sole port for Spain's overseas trade in the 16th and 17th centuries, until the official port was relocated to Cádiz, following the Treaty of Utrecht. In theory, the Consulado enjoyed virtual monopoly rights over goods shipped to America, in a regular and closely controlled Spanish treasure fleet, and handled much of the silver this trade generated.

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